Page 24 of My Wild Mountain Man
I wasn’t the right guy for her, no matter what she or I felt.
I was too old, too wild, too much. Things would be too complicated if I really let her roll the dice on us.
My hands fisted at my sides as I watched the Sheriff lean closer, his features turning a little serious, and I knew he’d just asked her out. There was no doubt about it. And maybe that was what she needed to do.
Explore.
Learn.
From someone else? What the fuck are you doing?a voice in my head shouted as I walked back towards my truck. I got to the door and immediately turned the hell back around.
Fuck that.
Fuck the consequences of whatever the hell I was about to do. I jogged towards the door and walked in, scanning my app at the entrance as I sauntered straight to her. Her eyes moved and widened as she watched me approach. “Hey.” I winked, pulling her by the waist and right to my side before kissing the top of her head.
“Sorry I was late.”
“Bash?”
“Bash Ledesma, from the brewery, right?” The good ol’ Sheriff said with an easy smile.
“That’s right, Sheriff. How’s it going? Arm day?” I asked. He nodded as his gaze bounced from me to Raven with a small smile on his face.
“It was. I’m about to head out.”
“Shame. I would have liked to ask you for some tips.”
“Maybe next time.” He smirked before his eyes moved to Raven. “So, you’ll do me that favor?”
“Luke,” she giggled, and I had to stifle a growl. My hands fisted at my sides, aching to pull her to my side and wrapping them around her waist. Instead, I looked at him.
“What favor?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me. I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
“He wants me to talk to my sister for him,” she shared before turning her attention and pretty brown eyes towards the sheriff. “I’ll try.” Raven shrugged. “But you know how Oli can be.” She made a face, and they both laughed. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from saying something snarky. I’d never thought I could be the jealous type. In the past, the green-eyed monster had never made an appearance, but since meeting Raven, or re-meeting her as a grown woman, I couldn’t seem to shake it off. Thankfully, the Sheriff waved and walked towards the exit.
“You’re here early,” she noticed quietly, and I felt her pretty gaze on me.
“You, too.” I turned, but she simply shook her head and smiled.
“Not really. This is the time I’m usually here.” She stepped back and bent to pick up her water bottle. The stickers on it were all about books.
“Really? You’re a morning person?” I asked.
“I’d just rather get my workout over an done with. Plus, it helps set me up for the rest of the day.” I nodded. I hated being up early, but for her, I would switch up my schedule. Shit, there wouldn’t be anything I wouldn’t do for her. I swallowed hard, letting myself drown in her eyes.
“You okay, Bash?” She stepped closer. I felt her hand move closer to mine then felt the loss of her not taking it in hers.
The man I want in my life, the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, would be a real man who wants me forever. He’d fight for me. Chase me. Win me.Her words replayed in my head, and the words that tumbled out couldn’t be stopped.
“Would you like to go get breakfast?” I blurted. I just wanted more time with her. I wanted to show her just how important she was to me.
“Right now?” she asked, surprised when I took her hand in mine. Our fingers tangled together. She glanced around us, probably worried about who would see us. “Bash, Onyx––“
“I don’t care,” I rasped honestly. “Breakfast?” I offered again, wanting so badly to be alone with her.
She stared at me for a long moment, and I was almost positive she was going to turn me down and send me to hell. And who could have blamed her for how I had put my foot in my mouth the night before? She had called me out on it, and I fucking loved that about her. As I stared at her, wearing those leggings and oversized shirt, her dark hair tossed up in a highmessy bun and her face flushed and fresh of makeup, I didn’t think she could be more beautiful. My sweet bookworm was ballsy. Brave and beautiful.Mine.The word repeated in my head like a caveman obsessed, and there was no denying it. Raven was mine. I just had to figure out how to make that happen.
Have I already fucked things up before they ever really started?
